Emmanuel College is governed by a board, whose primary role is to lay down our strategic direction and ensure our operations are carried out in an efficient, transparent and ethical manner.
Emmanuel College, affiliated with The University of Queensland, was founded in 1911 by the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, and was originally a theological college. These days, it operates under a contemporary constitution with the original corporation, a legal entity established by Letters Patent in 1911, still at its core. This corporation comprises the principal and other appointed councillors (board members) and is responsible for Emmanuel College’s property, operations and compliance with legal and university standards.
The strategic direction and oversight of our operations are set by the Emmanuel College board. This board includes representatives appointed by the Uniting Church in Australia (Queensland Synod), the University of Queensland Senate, and the board itself. The principal also serves as a board member. Together, they make sure Emmanuel College remains aligned with its educational and Christian ethos.
Emmanuel College is a registered charity and, in accordance with the Governance Principles set out by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), board members are selected for their skills and commitment to the College’s values. The board regularly reviews its skill matrix and strategic direction.
Importantly, Emmanuel College is a not-for-profit entity. All income and assets are used solely to advance its educational and spiritual mission. We also maintain a strong connection with our student body through the Emmanuel College Students’ Club Inc, whose representatives may attend board meetings as visitors.
This governance model ensures Emmanuel College remains a vibrant, accountable and mission-driven community for students pursuing both academic and personal growth.
Emma Szczotko is an alumna of Emmanuel College (resident 2011 to 2013) and has served on the Emmanuel Board since 2019. Whilst attending College, Emma was heavily involved in College life, leading and participating in a range of cultural, sporting and community initiatives. Emma is passionate about the value of education and fostering equity and inclusion.
In her role on the Emmanuel Board, Emma applies her career expertise in law, corporate governance, strategy and risk management having worked across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Emma is currently Director, Strategy & Governance within Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. Emma has held previous corporate governance roles at HOTA, Home of the Arts and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. Before moving into governance, Emma worked as a lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills. Emma holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Art History and French) from UQ and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nick moved to Emmanuel College from Gladstone, and was a resident in 2009, 2010 and 2011 under the College leadership of Professor Stewart Gill and Dr Jane Thomson.
Currently working for the State of Queensland as the Director of Cyber Security for Queensland’s public safety and law enforcement agencies, Nick has taken a truly unique journey from when he departed Emmanuel, to joining again as a Council Member in 2019.
Nick also supports the work of the Board of Symbiosis International, a development organisation focusing on poverty reduction and connection in Bangladesh, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies.
Cathy joined the Emmanuel Board in 2023 and brings a wealth of expertise and experience drawn from a 30-year career with publicly listed and large private companies. Cathy holds a Master of Business Administration (Exec) with Deans Honours, a Bachelor of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts, all from The University of Queensland. She served on the Board of Anglicare Southern Queensland from 2012-19 and was Chair of that Board from 2016-19.
In her own consultancy Leading Stratagems she offers performance-based executive coaching and bespoke leadership programs to a diverse range of organisations. As an executive coach, program designer and facilitator with substantial experience in marketing strategy and executive recruitment, Cathy has a deep understanding of building effective engagement within teams and with key stakeholders.
Marc Orchard is an alumnus of Emmanuel College (resident 2007-09) and has served on the Emmanuel Board since 2024. Whilst attending College, Marc was involved in College life and acted as the Second Year Student Representative on the Students’ Club Committee, and studied abroad at the University of Virginia as part of his degree.
As a previous resident and mentor at Emmanuel College, Marc knows first-hand how integral the college experience is to both students’ transition into adulthood, and their long term personal and professional success. Marc’s background working with early-stage ventures, talent acceleration programs and alumni communities provides him with a unique perspective to contribute to the Emmanuel College Board, whilst acknowledging the history and traditions of Emmanuel’s community.
Marc is currently the CEO & Co-founder at Planet Startup, Entrepreneur in Residence at UQ Ventures, Finance Lead at LaunchVic and has previously held positions as Director of Startups at BDO Australia, Talent Program Director at Swyftx, Brisbane City Manager at Fishburners, and Young Alumni Engagement Officer at The University of Queensland.
Marc has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The University of Queensland 2009 and has experience as a Board member, startup directorships and advisory boards.
Lara is the Director of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, leading the school’s philanthropic fundraising, corporate sponsorship and alumni engagement initiatives.
She has a strong background in external engagement, communications, and educational fundraising. She is passionate about the support of education having spent much of her career in the tertiary education sector at The University of Queensland. Lara’s previous roles include Associate Director, Alumni & Community Engagement and Deputy Director, Engagement and Philanthropy in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) at UQ.
Lara is the Vice President of the Educate Plus Queensland Chapter and was awarded a Fellowship in 2024 for her contribution to the advancement profession and the organisation. Educate Plus is a network of advancement professionals working in the fields of Admissions, Alumni & Community Relations, Fundraising and Marketing & Communications, within the educational sector. As an Australasian member organisation, it provides advancement staff access to the best professional development opportunities, education and peer support offered in the industry.
Lara holds a Master of Business from The University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Mass Communication (Public Relations and Journalism) from the University of Southern Queensland.
Jacinda has been Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School since 2013. She was a resident of Emmanuel College in 1987 and 1988, and was installed as an Honorary Fellow in 2015. She began her career in advertising overseas, returned to Australia to study education and held leadership roles at Pymble Ladies College and SCECGS Redlands in Sydney. Jacinda holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Educational Leadership from The University of Queensland. She has completed the AICD Company Directors Course and is on the Queensland Futures Council.
Stephen Peake studied Government, History and Law at The University of Queensland and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1982. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Griffith University.
Stephen’s extensive experience in the commercial and retail banking sectors includes managerial roles with the National Australia Bank for 16 years. In the not-for-profit sector, Stephen managed the investment service and trustee property portfolio of the Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod. This role encompassed compliance, legal, property, contract and finance in hospitals, aged care, colleges and community initiatives. He is a member of Oxley-Darra Uniting Church and his service to the church extended to directorship of the national superannuation fund for Uniting Church employees and realising its successful merger with NGS Super.
A member of the Emmanuel College Board since August 2018, Stephen was appointed Emmanuel College Principal in January 2020.